Determination of Health Literacy in Different Generations

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The development of health literacy (HL) is critical in reducing lifestyle-related diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine levels of HL and related variables among members of Generations X and Z. METHODS:This study was a descriptive survey conducted in the city of Antalya, Turkey. Participants were 350 Generation Z students and 150 Generation X parents. We created a personal data form for both students and parents, and used the Secondary Education HL Scale and Adult HL Scale for data collection. RESULTS:The average HL score of Generation Z was 20.98 ± 6.19 and that of Generation X 17.38 ± 3.54. The HL levels of 75% of the Generation Z were low to marginal and those of 33.1% of the Generation X were below average. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the Generation Z students and about one-third of Generation X parents were found to have low HL. Health professionals and nurses can give direction to the different generations to improve overall HL.

Health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a scoping review

“…For example, sports activities, eating less fast food and reading food labels were associated with higher nutrition literacy in adolescents 79. Furthermore, two studies assessed weight status and BMI as predictors of health literacy 49 70. In the first study conducted in Iran, higher BMI levels in senior high school students were correlated with higher functional nutrition literacy scores; however, this association was not significant after adjusting for the effect of other predictors in the multivariate analysis,70 and the other study in Turkey showed that this association was not significant either 49.…”

“…The identified studies used various types of health literacy related to the following health topics: general health31 32 34 35 42–67; nutrition68–82; non-communicable diseases (NCDs)36 63; HIV83 84; e-health39 85–91; media92; physical health93 94; oral health38 95; medical96; disability67 97 98; mental health37 40 41 99–108; suicide109 110; and depression 33 111. These studies used 36 scales to measure health literacy, and these scales can be grouped into three categories: newly developed scales66 77 82 86 93 98; newly adapted and translated scales33 40 41 43 54 55 64 69 83 96 100 111; and previously adapted and translated scales 34 35 38 39 44–46 49 51–53 56–59 62 65 67 68 71–73 76 78–80 85 87–89 91 95 97 103 104 107–110 112 113…”

“…General and nutrition-related health literacy were the most common health literacy themes addressed. In Turkey, 12 studies reported problematic or inadequate levels of health literacy among secondary school, high school and university students 45–47 49 53 54 57 63 70 77 79 109. Out of the eight studies conducted in Iran,35 36 46 64 68 70 73 80 one study reported that most high school students had adequate health literacy36 while five reported the opposite 35 46 64 70 73.…”

“…In this review, we identified several demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with health literacy: sex,37 39 42 45 47 49 55 62 63 74 76 90 94 95 101 104 higher income,39 47 51 64 90 97 98 parents’ working status,37 64 68 80 107 occupation,98 age,39 43 49 98 104 113 marital status,98 family type,89 90 ethnicity,44 degree of religiosity107 108 and social security 67. Moreover, health literacy was predicted by the educational level of adolescents, young adults and their parents37 45 47 53 64 68 72 80 89 90 92 95 101; grade at university or school37 39 43 57 67 73 87 95 97 113; years of education98; reading difficulties67; school achievement and academic disciplines57 64 65 70; and parental health literacy 48…”

“…Furthermore, two studies assessed weight status and BMI as predictors of health literacy 49 70. In the first study conducted in Iran, higher BMI levels in senior high school students were correlated with higher functional nutrition literacy scores; however, this association was not significant after adjusting for the effect of other predictors in the multivariate analysis,70 and the other study in Turkey showed that this association was not significant either 49. In another Turkish study, adolescents who perceived their weight as normal had higher health literacy levels than those who perceived themselves as underweight or overweight/obese 51…”